End stop for slide fasteners



F. w. CLARKE END STOP FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Dec. 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 25, 1946 INVENTOR.

Dec. 26, 1950 F. w. CLARKE END STOP FOR SLIDE FASTENERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed March 23, 1946 INVENTOR. FQZINK cum/ 5 u A Q) 3 4 N f T i/zzzfikwgzirdrv 0%;

F. W. CLARKE END STOP FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Dec. 26, 1950 Patented Dec.26, 1950 OFFICE END STOP FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Frank Clark e, Meaglville,Pa assignor to Talon, I nc., a corporation of Pennsylvania ApplicationMarch 23, 1946, Serial No. 656,691

a common connection is often provided between 1e upper ends of thestringer tapes by means of an end member, commonly known as a bridge topstop. Generally, such a bridge top stop consists of a unitary piece ofmetal which extends between the stringer tape edges. Some of these stopsare shaped to conform to the upper end of the slider so that the upperend of the slider and top stop nest together when the slider is disposedin its closed position,

While a conventional top stop arrangement is 1 satisfactory for ordinaryclosed slits, such as a garment placket, it has been found to beunsatisfactory for such closed end slits wherein a flexible sealingmeans is used in conjunction with the fastener for sealing the fastenerand closure opening against leakage, such.as 'illustratedlin the patentto Krupp,'No. 2,385,816, dated October 2, 1945. In such asealing-closure, there is provided a pair of rubber-like taperedflexible portions which overlap each'otherand overlie the fastenerelements to form an effective sealing means. These flexible portions aredisposed 'around the lug portion of the slider to which the pull memberis attached'for manipulating the sider. This lug acts as a ploughwhenthe slider is moved in i a direction to open the fastener so as toprevent these flexible portions from binding on the slider. When theslider is disposed in its fully closed position at the end of theclosure opening, the flexihle edge portions of thesealing means fitsnugly around the slider lug with the lug extending therebetween.

In order to obtain a sealing effect throughout the entire length of theclosure, it is just as important that the sea'ing means act effectivelyto seal the fastener at the top or closed end as at any other portionthereof, otherwise, the effectiveness of the sealing means is lost.Herebefore, in the use of a conventional bridge top stop arrangementwith such a sealing closure, the flexible portion of the sealing meansin the vicinity of the slider, especially around the lug thereof, wouldtend to gap open when the fastener was flexed in this vicinity when theslider was disposed in its fully closed position thereby permitfsoiaims. (-01. 24-20511 I ting leakage between the flexible lips aroundthe slider and lug thereof. This was due primarily to the fact that thebridge top stop and slider were permitted to hinge relative to eachother when the fastener was flexed at the upper end of the closure, andit is to an improved bridge top stop and slider arrangement thatprevents 'such hinging that the present invention relates.

Accordingly, it is the general object of this invention to provide ameans for preventing the bridge top stop and slider from hingingrelative to each other when the fastener is closed so as to prevent thesealing means from gapping open in the vicinity of the slider.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide abridge top stop which engages with means carried by the slider so as toprevent any hinging movement of the stop and slider relative to eachother when the slider is disposed in its fully closed position.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bridge top stopconstruction which will prevent any longitudinal movement of thestringer tape edges to which the stop is attached relative to each otherand, at the same time, engages the slider so as to prevent any hingingmovement of the stop relative to the slider when the slider isdsposed inits fully closed position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide -a bridge top stopwhich will hold the stringer tape edges in a slightly spaced relation soas to prevent sticking or jamming of the slider at the end of theopening and which, at the same time, cooperates with the slider toprevent hinging of the stop relative to the slider.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a bridge top stopwhich is shaped to conform substantially to the upper end of the sliderand, at the same time, one which cooperates with the slider to preventeffectively hinging of the stop relative to the slider.

. Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be moreapparent in the course of the following specification, and will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose ofillustration, an embodiment and several modifications thereof [which myinvention may assume in practice.

In these drawings: I

1 Fig. 1 is a rear view, partly in section,- of the end of a slidefastener with which my improved bridge top stop and slider arrangementis incor-.- porated, showing the slider in closed position;

, .Fig 2 is a front view of the fastener, as shown in Fig. 1, with thelug portion of the slider partly broken away so as to show the sealingmeans around the lug connection;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fi 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fi 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a rear view, partly in section, of the end of a slidefastener, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of bridge top stopused in connection with the present invention;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a rear view, partly in section, of the end of slide fastener,similar to Figs. 1 and 6.

showing another modified form of bridge top stop which may be used inconnection with my invention;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of one part of the bridge top stop;

Fig. 10 is a side view of the stop shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the other part of the bridge top stop; and

Fig. 12 is a front view of the fastener, partly in section, with theslider disposed in a partly open position showing the preferred form ofstop incorporated therewith, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, my invention is shownincorporated with conventional type slide fastener consisting,generally, of a pair of stringer tapes 2, having a series ofspaced-apart interlocking fastener elements 3 attached to the opposedbeaded edges 4 thereof. There is mounted. on the fastener elements forlongitudinal movement therealong, a slider generally designated at 5,which is adapted to be moved in opposite directions to open and closethe fastener in a well known manner.

The slider shown comprises spaced upper and lower wing portions .6. and1, respectively, interconnected at one end by a wedge or V-shaped neckportion 8 so as to provide an interior Y- .shaped channel 9 having apair of diverging outlets in. spaced apart laterally by the neck portion8. These outlets [5 of the channel serve as exits for the fastenerelements 3 when the slider is moved in the direction to open thefastener. When the slider is at the end of the opening in its closedposition, as shown in Fig. l, the headed edges t are spaced ratherwidely apart, necessarily the same as the exit outlets IQ of the sliderchannel. There is carried by the lower wing portion 6, pair of inwardlyextending marginal flanges 12 which cooperate with the outer ends of thefastener elements 3 on the inner side of the fastener for guiding theelements into and through the slider channel. The upper wing portion 5is relatively small and substantially flat and there is carried thereby,a longitudinally extending lug 3 to which there is pivotally attached apull member 14 for manipulating the slider. The lug l3 at one end isattached to the upper end of the upper wing by means of a substantiallywedge-shaped portion IS with the lower portion of the lug being spaced aslight distance above the upper wing, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 7of the drawings.

There is provided a means for sealing the closure opening and the slidefastener against leak age similar to the sealing closure disclosed inthe aforementioned Krupp patent. Such a sealing means comprises a pairof flexible members it made of any suitable material but preferablyrubber. The body portions ll of the members it are secured to thestringer tapes 2 by any suitable means, such as rubber cement or othersuitable adhesive means, but these flexible members are preferablymolded or vulcanized integrally with the stringer tapes. Each of theopposed marginal portions [8 of the flexible members it are resilientand 'oifset from the body portions H and extend over the fastenerelements 3 and are spaced a slight distance thereabove and taper to anedge, as at 19. These marginal portions I8 areadaptedrinone position tooverlap each other so as to provide a lip-action sealing means, asclearly shown in Fig. 3.

The ends of-the flexible members [6 are joined integrally, as, at. 20,,at the end of the opening adjacent the end of the fastener so as toprovide normally a slit 2| therebetween, as shown in Fig. 12. This slitterminates in a flexible tapered U- shaped end, .as at 22, so as toprovide substantially lippededge at the end of the slit.

The marginal portions l8 not only overlie the fastener elements 8,. but.also the upper wing portion 6 of the slider, and are disposed in underthe lug portion 13 carried thereby. The edges 19 of these marginalportions fit snugly around the wedge-shaped lug connecting portion 15and when the slider is disposed in its fully closed position, as shown.in Figs. 2, 4, and '7, the U- shaped end 22 of the slit 2] fits snuglyaround the upper end -.of the wedge-shaped portion l5 so as to seal the.closure securely around the slider. When the slider is manipulated toopen the fastener, as shownin Fig. 12., it will be seen thatwedge-shaped portion l5 acts in a ploughlike manner to move the marginalportions N3 of the flexible members It out of their overlappingposition. Due to the fact that the marginal portions :18 aremade. of aresilient material, such as rubber, it will :be seen that the edges [9thereof bear forcibly a ainst this wedge-shaped portion 15 continuouslythroughou the travel of the slider along. the fastener. These marginalportions are urged normally, due to the inherent resiliency thereof, toposition overlying the fastenor elements 3 of the respective stringers,as shown in Fig. 3.. Accordin ly. when the slider is moved in thedirection to close the fastener, the wedge-shaped portion [5 will permitthe marginal portions I8 tomove to their normal position; i. e.,overlying the fastener elements in overlapped position so as to providean effective sealing means. It will be seen that the upper wing portionit of the slider is disposed in the space between the marginal portions.15 and the upper side of the fastener elements 3 throughout the movementof the slider along the fastener.

When the slider 5 is disposed in its fully closed position, as showninFig. 2, as hereinbefore mentioned, the upper end of the wedge-shapedportion 15 fits snugly into the flexible U.-shaped lipped end 22 of the.slit 21. While these marginal portions 1.8, together with the lipped end22, efiec-tively seal the slit and fastener when the fastener lies fiat,it will be seen that the lipped end 22 of the slit and the marginalportions l3 will tend to be displaced from position around thewedge-shaped portion ['5 when the fastener and they material around the.end of the slit is sharply flexed at a. point immediately above theslider. This displacement of these portions ill consequently permitleakage around this wedgeshaped portion 15, thereby defeating thesealing effect of the sealing means.

In order to overcome this defect and in'accordance with the presentinvention, there is provided a bridge top stop generally designated at23, consisting preferably of two separate rigid members 24 and 25 ofsubstantially the same length. Both of these members have a thickness ina plane perpendicular to the stringer tapes 2 substantially equal tothat of the fastener elements 3 taken in the same plane. In thepreferred form of my invention, as shown in l, the inner or lower member25 has a central portion 26 arcuated so as to conform to the upper endor the slider 5 with which it cooperates in a manner to be described.

This central portion terminates in horizontally extending andsubstantially parallel end portions 21 which are bifurcated, as at 23,as shown in Figs.;9 and 1 so as to provide a pair of jaw portions 29 oneach end for clamping the member to the beaded edges 4 of the stringertapes 2. The member 24 extends between the opposed beaded edges 4 of thestringer tapes with the bifurcated ends thereof securely clamped theretoat a point a slight distance beyond the endmost fastener elements 3carried by the stringers. This merober 24 is of such length that the jawor clamping portions on the opposed ends thereof are spaced apart adistance substantially equal to the spacing between the outlets it or"the slider channel. That is, the arcuated central portion 2% holds theendmost opposed series of fastener elements in spaced relation so as toprevent these elements from sticking or binding on the flanges and theneck portion of the elder when is moved to its fully closed position. Itw;ll be seen that the upper end of the slider nests in the arcuatedcentral portion 2% of the member 2 5 when in such closed position.

Above or beyond the member 2 3, there is arranged the member 25 which ispreferably flat and straight. This member is similar to the member Ed inthat it has bifurcated ends, as at 38, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, so asto provide jaw portions 3i at each end for clamping this member to thestringer tapes. This member is positioned directly nextv to the member24 with the central portion thereof contacting the arouated centralportion 25 of the member 25 and with the clamping or jaw portionsthereof secured to the beaded edges d of the opposed stringer tape at aspaced distance therefrom. By providing such an arrangement, it will beseen that any longitudinal movement of the opposed beaded edges 3 of thestringer tapes 2 relative to each other will be reduced to a minimum.

In Figs. 6 and 7, there is shown a slight modification of the bridge topstop arrangement of my invention. In this construction the stop consistsof a pair of identical rigid members 32, each being of the same designas the member 25 of the preferred form. Both of these members, whenclamped to the opposed beaded edges of the stringer tapes, lie direct ynext to each other throughout their entire length.

In Fig. 8, there is shown another modification of my bridge top stoparrangement. In this construction, there is also provided a pair ofrigid identical members 33 with each being of the same design as themember 23 in the preferred construction. These members likewise liedirectly next to each other throughout their entire length when clampedto the opposed beaded edges of the stringer tapes with the arcuatedcentral portions 34 nesting in each other and conforming to the upperend of the slider.

Also, according to the present invention, there is carried by the upperend of the slider 5 centrally and adjacent the neck portion 8 thereof, apair of spaced-apart, substantially parallel, outwardly projectingportions 35 so as to provide a laterally extending or transverserectangularshaped open-ended slot or recess 36 in the upper end of theslider. The distance between the spaced-apart portions 35 is slightlygreater than the thickness through the stop 23 in a plane perpendicularto the plane of the stringer tapes, as is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and5, or, the width of the slot 35 is equal substantially to the height ofthe Y-shaped slider channel 9. The length of this slot is substantiallyequal to the widest width of the neck portion 8 of the slider. This slotis in alignment with the bridge top stop 23 with which it cooperates ina manner and for a purpose now to be explained.

The slot 30 is provided to house both of the members 24 and 25 of thebridge stop 23 when the slider is moved to its fully closed position atthe end of the slit 2|; i. e., the projecting portions 35 straddle thestop 23, as shown in Fig. 4. In other words, the bridge top stop 23 andthe slot 36 of the slider engage each other so as to providesubstantially a key and slot arrangement. By providing such aconstruction, it will be seen that any pivotal or hinging movement ofthe stop relative to slider at the closed end of the fastener isprevented due to the fact that the dimensions of the slot and stop arerelatively close and that the slider and stop are substantially keyedtogether when the slider is disposed in such closed position. In view ofthe fact that the stop and slider are prevented from any relativehinging movement, it necessarily follows that the flexible portions ofthe sealing means in the vicinity of the stop will not move relative tothe upper end of the slider when the closure opening or fastener isflexed in thi vicinity. Consequently, the U-shaped lipped end 22 and themarginal portions l8 adjacent thereto will be maintained securely aroundthe wedge-shaped lug connecting portion I5 even though the upper end ofthe fastener might be bent or flexed, thereby maintaining a seal at alltimes in the vicinity of the slider regardless of the conditions towhich the fastener is subjected. When the slider is manipulated to openthe fastener, it will be seen that the bridge stop 23 passes freely outof the open side of the slot 36 thereby permitting free movement of theslider in a direction to open the fastener.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided asimple and inexpensive arrangement for preventing any hinging movementof a bridge top stop relative to the slider when the closure or fasteneris flexed in the vicinity of the upper end of the fastener wh'ch may beconveniently and efiiciently incorporated with any type sealing means.The bridge top stop is of such construction that it can be attached tothe fastener at the time of the manufacture thereof by the slidefastener manufacturer, and lends itself to cementing or vulcanization inthe article or closure with which it is to be used without the need ofany special equipment.

While I have shown and described several embodiments which my inventionmay assume in practice, it will be understood that these embodiments aremerely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that otherforms may be devised within the scope of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination, a series of interlocking fastener elements arrangedalong the opposed edges of a pair of stringer tapes, a slider movablelongitudinally of said elements for engaging and disengaging the same,said slider comprising a pair of spaced-apart Wing portions connectedtogether at one end by a neck portion so as to define an interiorsubstantially Y-shaped channel, a bridge top stop extending between theopposed edges of said stringer tapes at a point beyond the endmostfastener elements, said stop having means arranged at each end thereoffor attaching the same to the opposed edges of said stringer tapes, andmeans carried by said slider engaging said top stop so as to prevent anyhinging move ment of said top stop relative to said slider consisting ofa pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel portions extendingforwardly of the slider adjacent the neck portion thereof so as todefine a transverse slot therebetv/een in which the stop is disposedwhen the slider is moved to its fully closed position with the extendingportions straddling said stop.

2. In combination, a series of interlocking fastener elements attachedto the opposed edges of a pair of stringer tapes, a slider movablelongitudinally of said elements for engaging and disengaging the same,said slider comprising a pair of spaced-apart wing portions connectedtogether at one end by a neck portion o as to define an interiorsubstantially Y-shaped channel, a bridge top stop comprising a rigidpiece of material extending between the opposed edges of the stringertapes at a point beyond the endmost fastener elements, said stop havingjaws arranged on each end thereof for attaching the stop to the opposedstringer tape edges whereby'said edges are held securely in spacedrelation, means'carried by said slider engaging said stop so as toprevent any hinging movement of said stop relative to'sai'd sliderconsisting of a transverse slot arranged in the neck portion at theupper end of the slider in which slot the stop is seated and keyedwhenthe slider is disposed in its fully closed position,

3. In combination, a series of interlocking fasengaging said stop whenthe slider is moved to its fully closed position so as to prevent anyhinging movement of said stop relative to said slider when the openingis flexed in the vicinity of said stop thereby preventing the flexibleportions of said sealing means from becoming displaced from their sealinposition on said fastener elements, said engaging means consisting of atransverse slot arranged in the neck portion at the upper end of theslider in which slotthe stop. is firmly seated and keyed when the slideris disposed in its fully closed position.

4. In combination;v aseries of interlocking fastener'elements attachedtothe opposed edges of a pair of stringer tapes; a slider movablelongitudinally'of" said elements for engaging and disengagingthe same,said slider comprising a pair ofspaced-apart wing portions'connectedtogether atone end' by a neck portion so as to define an interiorsubstantially Y-shaped channel; a bridge top stop extending between theopposed-edges of said stringer tapes at a point beyond the (andmostfastener elements thereof, said bridge top stop consisting of a rigidpiece of bar-like material having a jaw-like portion arranged on eachend thereof for attaching the same to the opposed stringer tape edges,means attached to said stringers for sealing the space between theopposed edges thereof comprising a pair of flexible portions overlyingsaid fastener elements and said top stop, and means carried by theslider adjacent the neck portion thereof which engages said stop whenthe slider is moved to its fully closed positionso asto prevent anyhinging movement of said stop relative to said slider when the stringersare flexed in the vicinity of said stop thereby preventing the flexibleportions of said sealing means from becoming displaced from theirsealing position on said fastener elements around said slider, saidengagin means consisting of a transverse slot arranged in the neckportion at the upper end of the slider in which the stop is firmlyseated and keyed when the slider is disposed in its fully closedposition.

5. In combination, a series of interlocking fastener elements attachedto the opposed edges of a pair of stringer tapes, a slider movablelongitudinally of said elements for engagin and disengaging the same, abridge top stop extending between the opposed edges of said stringertapes at a point beyond the endmost fastener elements comprising a rigidmember having an arcuated central portion and a substantially straightend portion arranged to each side thereof, each of said end portionsbeing bifurcated so as to provide clamping jaws for attaching the memberto the opposed stringer tape edges, and means carried by said sliderengaging the arcuated central portion of said member so as to preventany hinging movement of. said stop relative to said slider whenthe-latter is moved to its fully closed position against said-stop, saidengaging means consisting ofv a transverse slot arranged in the neckportion at the upper end of the slider in which slot the arcuatedcentral portion of said stop is firmly seated and keyed when the slideris dis posed in its fully closed position thereag'ainst.

6. Incombination, a series of interlocking fastener elements attached tothe opposed edges of a pair of stringer tapes, a slider movablelongitudinally of said elements for engaging and disengaging the same, alug connected to said slider to which a pull member is adapted to beattached, abridge top stop extendin between the opposed edges ofsaidstringer tapes at a point beyond the endmost fastener elementsthereof, said stop having clamping portions arranged on each end thereoffor attachin the stop to the opposed stringer tape edges, a pairofflexible members overlying said stringers and said fastener elementswhich members cooperate with each other to provide a seal forsaid-fastener, said flexible members being integrally connected at oneend so asto formafiexible lip portion which fits' snugly around theupper portionof the connection of said'lug with said slider when theslider is disposed in its fully closed position so as to seal the spacearound said lug" connection against leakage, and means carried by thesaid slider engaging said s'top when the'slider is moved to its closedposition ther'ea'gainst so as to prevent any hinging movement of said,stop relative to slider when the stringers are flexed in the vicinity ofsaidstop' thereby preventing the flexible end lip portionofsai'd'flexible members from being displaced from position aroundsaidlug connection,

9 said engaging means consisting of a transverse slot arranged in theneck portion at the upper end of the slider in which slot the stop isfirmly seated and keyed when the slider is disposed in its fully closedposition.

FRANK W. CLARKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the m file ofthis patent:

Number Krupp Oct. 2, 1945

